IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 469 

Supporting the scope and objectives of Greece’s Presidency of the Council 

of the European Union. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 29, 2014 

Mr. SIRES (for himself, Mr. BILIRAKIS, and Mr. SARBANES) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period 

to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 

concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the scope and objectives of Greece’s Presidency 

of the Council of the European Union. 

Whereas Greece holds the rotating Presidency of the Council 

of the European Union during the first half of 2014; 

Whereas the rotating European Union Presidency offers 

member states the opportunity to showcase their vision 

for the European Union, to advance the Union’s ongoing 

work agenda, influence European Union policy and legislation, and broaden the understanding of the European 

Union amongst the citizens of their country; 


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•HRES 469 IH 

Whereas the European Union has established an area of freedom, security, and justice, extending stability and peace 

to the European continent and its neighbors; 

Whereas the United States has supported the European integration process and has consistently supported the objective of European unity and the enlargement of the European Union as a vehicle for prosperity, peace, and democracy; 

Whereas the Government of Greece has prioritized growth, 

job creation, European Union and Eurozone integration, 

as well as borders, mobility, migration, and integrated 

European Union Maritime Policy as the main areas of 

focus for the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union; 

Whereas the United States and the European Union are each 

other’s largest trading and investment partners, responsible for creating up to an estimated 14,000,000 jobs on 

both sides of the Atlantic, and as such major stakeholders in each other’s economic recoveries; 

Whereas the Greek Presidency aims at reinforcing efforts 

that should be focused on reforms aiming at safeguarding 

stability and revitalizing growth; 

Whereas the Greek Presidency aims at promoting synergies 

in sectors that create jobs such as transport, shipping, 

tourism, innovation; 

Whereas Greece is a strategic partner and ally of the United 

States in bringing political stability and economic development; 

Whereas Greece continues to play an important role in the 

wider European region, including the Eastern Mediterranean; 


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•HRES 469 IH 

Whereas Greece, as a traditional maritime country, acknowledges the great potential and opportunity that marine 

and maritime activities hold for the European Union 

economy as a whole, especially in the areas of security 

and energy; 

Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States to 

support and enhance Europe’s energy security; 

Whereas the Governments of Greece and the United States 

are at the forefront of efforts to advance freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and respect for human rights; and 

Whereas the Hellenic values and principles of Greek-Americans have contributed greatly to United States society, 

history, and politics: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the scope and objectives of 

3 Greece’s Presidency of the Council of the European 

4 Union; 

5 (2) encourages the continuation of United 

6 States–European Union trade and investment nego7 tiations that will benefit both United States and Eu8 ropean workers alike; 

9 (3) promotes increased transatlantic exchanges 

10 and dialogue to further benefit from existing cultural 

11 ties and research and development partnerships, in 

12 the maritime area where a transatlantic research al13 liance could underpin the development of the strong 

14 growth and jobs potential of shared ocean resources, 

15 a so-called blue growth strategy; 


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•HRES 469 IH 

1 (4) affirms the strong bonds and common val2 ues between the United States and Greece; and 

3 (5) acknowledges the lasting contributions of 

4 Greek-Americans to the United States. 

Æ 


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